Who Gives A Fish Forums

I'm gonna be away for a week and need advice on keeping my 55-gallon planted tank stable. I've got a school of Tetras, a pair of Angelfish, and some Corydoras. Current setup is a Fluval 307 canister filter, CO2 injection, and LED lighting on a timer. What's the best way to handle feeding and maintenance while I'm gone?

I've been in this spot before. First thing, get an automatic feeder for the dry food. Test it a few days before you leave to make sure it's not overfeeding. For the Corydoras, drop in some sinking pellets the day you leave, they'll scavenge for a while. How often do you usually do water changes?

folksy wrote: ↑Sat Jun 07, 2025 5:30 am I've been in this spot before. First thing, get an automatic feeder for the dry food. Test it a few days before you leave to make sure it's not overfeeding. For the Corydoras, drop in some sinking pellets the day you leave, they'll scavenge for a while. How often do you usually do water changes?

Yep, auto feeders are a lifesaver. I'd also recommend a big water change right before you leave, like 50%. That'll buy you some time. And maybe dial back the CO2 a bit to avoid fluctuations.

Dude, don't stress too much. Fish can go a week without food, honestly. But if you're paranoid like me, grab one of those vacation feeder blocks. Just don't let it mess with your water quality. Also, check your filter media, make sure it's clean but not too clean, ya know?

I'd skip the feeder blocks. They can cloud the water and cause ammonia spikes. Stick with the auto feeder for dry food and maybe ask a friend to drop by once to feed some frozen stuff. What's your lighting schedule like? You might wanna reduce it to prevent algae.

Agree with flinta on the feeder blocks. They're sketchy. I've had good luck with Eheim auto feeders, they're reliable. Also, if you've got plants, they'll help keep the water quality in check. Just make sure your CO2 doesn't run out mid-week.

Thanks for the tips, everyone. I'll test the auto feeder and do a big water change before I go. Appreciate the help!

No prob! One more thing, if you've got a LFS you trust, see if they can check in on your tank. Some shops offer vacation services. Worth asking, at least.

Yo, just chill. Fish are tougher than you think. I left mine for 10 days once and they were fine. Just don't overcomplicate it.

Autofeeder and water change. Keep it simple. Don't mess with what's working.